SOMETHING YOU LOVE. . .

"Love you through the better days
Love you through the rainy ones

Champion, you're number one, yeah, that's true

I guess what I'm sayin', I guess what I'm sayin'
I guess what I'm sayin' is, I,
I f*ckin' love you."

i.f.l.y : bazzi

- - -

Deep breaths, Amane.

Deep breaths.

In.

And out.

Relax.

Amane's eyes flashed open, a smirk plastered on his face, always one to be confident with sport events — as he should: Amane is the most athletic boy in the class. His eyes trained on the box that'll predict his fate; the words written on the folded paper can be good or bad and Amane is more than sure that he'll find it easily. My only hope! If I get a good one, I can win this round! The ravenette grinned, his nerves jostling with excitement.

Rules are simple. You draw a lot, and whatever is written on that piece of paper, you have to find and carry with you until the end of the race. Easy, right?

Beside him, a redhead clicked his tongue, staring right at Amane as if he just did the most unforgivable thing ever. (He did what? Be confident?) Ah, Akane, such a hater. Amane worried he would age faster than anyone; gain wrinkles first with how much he's frowning whenever Aoi, his lifetime crush (who always rejects him), isn't around.

Amane stuck his tongue out at him in response. "I'm not gonna lose to a simp like you!"

Akane's eye twitched. "Big talk for someone who'll lose 10 minutes from now," he snarled, scowling harder when Amane just snorted.

"Are you talking about yourself, Akane-kun?" Amane crooned, his tone teasing and it just irritated Akane even more. It was probably Amane's superpower: to be able to be the most annoying person in the world to Akane. Amane, along with Teru, is one of the people who are able to piss the redhead off so bad even if it's not about his indigo-haired dream girl. And that itself is an achievement.

"3—"

Amane turned away from a growling Akane, his smile now completely gone. Focused —   Amane is focused on the row of tables that stood a good few miles away from them.

"—2—"

Amane bent his knees a bit, a stance he'd use before he would bolt out and run faster than lightning. Call it a tactic, call it a habit — Amane considered it as both, anyway.

"—1—"

Amane took a deep breath, his eyes shut tight to gain concentration. Though the sports festival might just be considered a game to the rest of the players, it's everything for Amane. He's seriously competitive.

He remembered Akane asking him about it, and all Amane responded was: "do you need a reason not to want to lose?"

"—go!"

As soon as they heard the word, the line of players ran and ran, desperate to get to the table first. Amane wasn't exactly first — since one of the guys had a head start — but he isn't last either so that was good enough.

Amane fumbled with the messily folded paper, eyes moving back and forth.

Something you love.

He thrusted the paper harshly on his pocket, and quickly scanned the crowd. Amane didn't expect such a task. Something he loves? Donuts are out of the question because the school didn't provide those right now.

Something. . .

Something he loves?

As he jogged, he noticed one of the players holding a paint brush, already headed straight to the finish line. Amane didn't let it get to him as he just continued to run, racking his mind for what he could possibly bring.

Then his eyes landed on Yashiro, who was cheering for him excitedly. A fond smile broke across Amane's face.

Something you love, huh?

They wouldn't mind it if it's a someone, right?

Amane bolted straight towards her and didn't even hesitate to carry her up bridal style. Yashiro yelped, her face flushing red, instinctively wrapping her arms around Amane's shoulder.

"Sorry, Yashiro, you wouldn't mind if I borrow for a bit, would you?"

Yashiro stared up at him in disbelief. "Amane-kun, what are you—"

Amane ran faster, shutting Yashiro up. She screamed all the while Amane laughed and ran. Just how strong is he to carry me with ease?! Yashiro thought, still embarrassed with the situation.

"What's the point of asking me after you lifted me up, anyway?" Yashiro asked after a while, or rather, muttered under her breath.

Amane laughed, a bit breathless: most likely the fatigue getting to him. Yashiro knew he wouldn't give up, though — not with the glint of determination in his eyes. "S'not like you'll refuse anyway."

Yashiro shut her mouth. Amane knew he was right.

As they passed by, the cheers began to boom and fill the school grounds. They even heard someone exclaim, "what in the world!? He's carrying a girl and he expects to win!?" Amane rolled his eyes and continued running, not at all fazed with all the bewildered stares they received.

"This is embarrassing."

"It won't be if we win," Amane said.

Yashiro tilted her head a bit to see the players frantically run behind Amane, look of shock still written in their features. Yashiro wasn't surprised. Amane is the fastest runner in the whole batch of first years. He also drank a lot of water. Not that it's related to his speed, but Yashiro just noticed that.

She turned back to see the finish line a few miles away from them. Someone else was already ahead of them, though — a girl with glasses holding a paintbrush. Shjima, both Amane and Yashiro recognized.

Amane grunted. "Yashiro, hold on tight, okay?"

Yashiro frowned. "Why? What are you planning to— aah! What!?" Yashiro screamed when Amane jumped and got a boost (like a bunny hop), almost like he was floating. And just like that, he was in the same boat as Shjima.

"And the two players in front are in a tie right now! Who will win!? Will they have the same speed and cause a draw!?  Who will— wait what?"

Amane smirked at Shjima as he leapt again and cut off the fragile ribbon with his body. Shjima was less than a second late, but Amane won nonetheless.

As soon as the crowd exploded, Amane gently dropped Yashiro and presented her to one of the staffs like a trophy.

"Wow," they all said.

Then Amane dramatically fell on the ground, arms and legs limp. "I'm beat! That was so tiring, whew!" He laughed.

Yashiro knelt beside him and poked his forehead. "What was written on the paper anyway?"

"Oh, you know. Something you love," Amane said before he closed his eyes (he most likely passed out). The words rolled off his tongue so easily, like it was nothing. Like he didn't jus confess right then and there.

Yashiro's face exploded into a blush.

- - -

Requested by: maplebell

This was so fun to write but it also challenged my ability to write intense scenes 😳 So I'm not really proud of this but hopefully you still like it!

I just realized I've been writing so much cheeky Amane but hey

No one's complaining 😔👊💕

Thanks for reading!